SA Water and Windmill Theatre have won the inaugural National Visy Arts and Environment Award in acknowledgment of both organisations' contribution to environmental sustainability.

The award was presented at the national Australian Business Arts Foundation Awards ceremony in Sydney, a ceremony which showcases and celebrates partnerships and connections between business and the arts.

SA Water Chief Executive Anne Howe said the recognition of the partnership with Windmill Theatre was a tribute to the educational work undertaken by both organisations.

"With South Australia in the grip of a prolonged drought, SA Water needed a creative way to promote sustainable water use to young people," Ms Howe said.

"We formed an alliance with Windmill in 2006 to involve primary and secondary school students in activities promoting water conservation, sustainable water practices and creative solutions to meet future water challenges.

"This partnership has proven to be a huge success with students from right across the State having the opportunity to be educated and entertained about one of our most precious resources - water.

"To be recognised through these prestigious awards is an outstanding achievement and I'm delighted our partnership has been honoured at a national level."

Said Windmill General Manager/Executive Producer Teena Munn:

"We have been delighted with our partnership with SA Water which has demonstrated what great outcomes can be achieved when business and the arts work creatively together."

Visit Windmill Theatre's website for more information and to see what they have in store for 2011.